Sen. Byrd Warns Climate Change Deniers, Mining Defenders

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., warned that that his state's adamant opposition to climate and mining regulations, specifically those related to mountaintop mining, was counterproductive, E&E News PM reported. Byrd was quoted as saying in an op-ed released by his office: "The greatest threats to the future of coal do not come from possible constraints on mountaintop removal mining or other environmental regulations, but rather from rigid mindsets, depleting coal reserves, and the declining demand for coal as more power plants begin shifting to biomass and natural gas as a way to reduce emissions."

Byrd spoke sharply against those who deny the science of climate change and coal-industry representatives who rail against federal regulators. He said: "To be part of any solution, one must first acknowledge a problem. To deny the mounting science of climate change is to stick our heads in the sand and say 'deal me out.' West Virginia would be much smarter to stay at the table."

Defending mountaintop mining, he said, was probably a losing battle. "The practice of mountaintop removal mining has a diminishing constituency in Washington. It is not a widespread method of mining, with its use confined to only three states. Most members of Congress, like most Americans, oppose the practice, and we may not yet fully understand the effects of mountaintop removal mining on the health of our citizens."